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Football
Olivier Giroud has signed a one-year extension with Lille, continuing his Ligue 1 career under new manager Davide Ancelotti.
Olivier Giroud has committed to another season with Lille, securing his place in top-tier football as he approaches his 40th birthday. The striker will continue to lead the attack for Les Dogues under the direction of newly appointed manager Davide Ancelotti, son of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti.
According to L’Équipe, the 39-year-old forward has completed discussions with Lille’s executive board to prolong his contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy for an additional year. This extension aligns with Giroud’s goal of competing at the highest European level well into his fourth decade.
Lille president Olivier Létang confirmed the decision during an interview on RMC Sport, emphasizing that Giroud “still has that flame” within him. The veteran striker’s physical condition and performance have been strong, as evidenced by his participation in 44 matches across all competitions last season.
Giroud started in half of Lille’s Ligue 1 games and was instrumental in their European campaign, scoring 11 goals overall. This tally included four vital goals during the club’s Europa League fixtures. His last league goal came in a 4-0 victory over Toulouse on April 12.
The upcoming season will see Giroud working closely with Davide Ancelotti, who recently took over as Lille’s manager. At 36, Ancelotti has developed his coaching expertise as the main assistant to his father, Carlo Ancelotti, at clubs including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton. He is now beginning his own managerial career in France.
Lille’s leadership expects that Giroud’s experience and influence in the locker room, combined with Ancelotti’s tactical approach, will offer the team a solid foundation moving forward.
Giroud, who turns 40 on September 30, has openly stated his intention to continue playing as long as his fitness permits. On the final day of the previous Ligue 1 season, he expressed his ambition to reach the milestone of playing professional football at age 40, a rare achievement for outfield players in Europe’s top five leagues.
